A COUNTY charity is looking forward to making progress on a range of projects after receiving the latest donation from the People’s Postcode Lottery.

The £24,000 allocation brings the total awarded to the Northumberland Wildlife Trust to a staggering £494,940 – the charity lottery gives millions of pounds to good causes across the UK each year.

As well as its schemes to protect wildlife in the area, the funding has helped the trust to make detailed objections to some major planning applications and with its campaigning against the pilot cull of badgers.

For the past five years, its Hauxley reserve in Druridge Bay has been supported by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.

A small team of dedicated volunteer wardens carry out a daily bird count in the area and they are joined every alternate Friday by the Druridge Bay Volunteer Team to complete a variety of tasks, including trimming hedges, painting hides, maintenance of ditches and ponds, keeping pathways clear of overhanging branches and checking nest boxes both before and after the birds nest.

The funding pays for hand tools, loppers, bow saws and safety equipment such as gloves and goggles.

The wardens also staff the visitor centre, providing those who have a look round with information about wildlife watching opportunities in the area.

Northumberland Wildlife Trust estates officer Alex Lister said: “We’re very lucky to have two fabulous teams of volunteers here at Druridge Bay and the support of those who play the People’s Postcode Lottery is invaluable to all of us who work to help wildlife across the county.”